Smoking among Teenagers Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Smoking among Teenagers - Research Paper ExampleNot only this but overly a teens exposure to cigarette smoke increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. Smoking during the adolescent impacts the teenagers overall health, lung efficiency, reduces concentration span as a result of which his or her academic performance is hampered. Youth is that period of our lives where our mind and body are at their peaks but smoking during teenage deprives one of loose ones best performance in all walks of life (Hales, 2009-2010). The hazards of teenage smoking and its causes can be traced to the determinants of health as per the ecological model. THE ecologic MODEL The ecological perspective on health includes individual and environmental factors. The ecological model stresses that for community assessment, it is important to look beyond individual factors and also incorporate organizational and community factors. As per the ecological model, behavior at the individual level is influenced by bio logical, physiological, psychological and emotional states. The psychological aspect of teenage smoking is that teenagers have it at the back of their mind that smoking makes them more cool and mature. many an(prenominal) a times a teenager tries the first cast just to imitate his or her favorite celebrity. The social and cultural beliefs of family, friends and peers comprise of the social level. Smoking behavior of a teen is influenced by family for instance if one of the parents smokes, then the child tends to smoke too. Heredity is the main biological factor for instance women who smoke during pregnancy are indirectly making their unborn children abandoned to nicotine. These children develop a liking for nicotine and also show quick addiction. Friends are part family members and usually a teen is more influenced by friends than by his family. Many teenagers testify that their friends forced them to take the first puff (Harris, 2010). The physiological factors for teenage smok ing will include nicotine metabolism and excretion. Cultural beliefs are very properly depicted in the promotions of the Marlboro Man (McLeroy, 1988). At the organizational and community level, economic, physical and structural factors influence behavior. This level encompasses educational programs, mass media, counseling, support groups and organizational incentives. earth policy is another domain at which assessment can be done for a community. The Public Policy shows the states stance on health and related issues. For instance public service messages against teenage smoking and awareness programs come under public policy. Not only this but also public policy includes national laws for teenage smoking like a ban on selling cigarettes to a minor (Harris, 2010). Relationships with family, friends, neighbors, contacts at work, and acquaintances form the interper intelligenceal processes which influence health behaviors. These relationships are particularly more influential in a tee nagers life as his mind is vulnerable and he tends to adopt common behavior in his surroundings. The way a teenager deals with stress is also influenced by these relationships. If an adult smokes excessively during stress than his teenage son would do the same under stress. If the same interpersonal relationships can provoke a teenager to smoke then they can also work as support systems in times of stress and rehabilitation (for smoking or alcohol addicts). However if a